Jan/ Feb new moon a Pony Club

[Gee (Gareth)]

Yes Geoff (inmykombi), I've got the TV 85 and the 8" SCT mounted on the AZEQ6 simultaneously now. Been practicing this week in getting them balanced and aligned for observational . sorta ok now.

Looking forward to see what difference there is between the 8" and your 10" SCT.

Here's hoping the skies stay clear. Today the air seems pretty clear. I use a benchmark of how clear the peninsula and lighthouse at Norah Head looks from where I am. It's about 25k away.

[Fizics (John)]

Originally Posted by Arthur Alchin

That means all the heavy scopes will be there

We might see The Mary Rose, the LB 16, the skywatcher 16, the Orion 14, maybe even Phil's monster, maybe Sunday will be dark if we suck up all the photons on Saturday night

Wow I hope there is enough space for all of us! My little scope should fit it somewhere. Just waiting for Apple to bring out the iScope

[glend (Glen)]

Apologies, i thought about it, but for me the physical side of breaking down my 16"er, reconfiguring the car (have to take out the cargo barrier), and re-collimating for a few hours was the stopper, despite the obvious attraction of the social side of things. I have rolled out the scope for the past few nights, including a good session with Mars, Saturn, and the Virgo galaxies last night between 1 and 4am so for me maybe I am not suffering as much as some from observation withdrawal.

If anyone is taking a Sky Quality Metre with them I would appreciate some readings from the Pony Club to compare with my own location, just to get some perspective.

I will raise a glass to you on Saturday night.

I will hopefully get there one night, but looking forward to Lake Chaffey now.

[linstar88 (Linda and Guy)]

Originally Posted by Allan_L

Hi Linda and Guy.
I think you are confusing this one night observing session with the 4 dat camp planned for next month.
The Pony Club is free to attend. (subject to the pleasure of the Land Council Trust)
We are not camping there.
Bring drinks and supplies for a few hours duration.
The toilets are not always available, so if you have a portable alternative that could be handy, alternatively find a discrete spot, (or come and use my campervan loo).

The pony club site is very open.
Never seen horse hair there.
But horses do use it occasionally.
But i doubt this will be a problem.

Handy = warm clothes, RED light torches/head lights.
comfortable chairs.

Hope to see you guys there

Hey Allan,
Yep seems I mixed one site with the other, (it happens ). Thanks for your "as always" very helpful advice/info, much appreciated .
One last question.....
Will there be a post letting us all know if the skies are still expected to be clear enough, at least a few hours before it's time to head up to the PC? We are keeping eyes on the weather channel with great anticipation regardless anyway.
Cheers Linda and Guy

[Shano592 (Shane)]

Hi Linda and Guy,

Just looking at the forecast, I would say that things will be pretty darned good for tomorrow night, weather-wise.

If the sun is out tomorrow (not overcast), then it will be on.

No doubt this thread will be updated, as people start to confirm their leaving times, etc.

Hope to see you both there.

[Arthur Alchin (Arthur Alchin)]

Usually find there are replies still coming on up to about 1500. I will be there at 1700 so if anyone wants to give me a call before they leave ( sometimes I have a signal there, I'm with telstra$ to see the weather up there. If I have a signal I'll talk to you. 0400372813

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

I will plan on getting there about 1730 - 1800.

See you all there.

[Shano592 (Shane)]

Same here. Around 1800.

[Irish stargazer (John)]

Hopefully around 7.30pm weather permitting

[gb_astro]

About time I showed up, so hope to be there.

This could be the biggest turnout, numbers wise, for a long time.

Greg.

[Shano592 (Shane)]

So, are you saying that you are looking to be popular, Greg?



Don't forget your name tag, so we can remember just who you are!

Hope to see you there!

[osteoblast (Mark)]

I will also try to get there. I came along about 6 months ago and haven't had the chance to return until now.
Mark

[Rodstar (Rod)]

I know of at least 2, possibly 3 others who may be coming tonight. It does sound like it will be the biggest gathering for many a blue moon!

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

All packed and ready to go. Leaving soon.

[Rodstar (Rod)]

I have confirmed Bambo and Phil Townsend are starters, and Ron Peters is joining us too. I will be there about 7. Happy days!

[RB (Andrew)]

I may be dropping in later if I can get away.

[netwolf]

I was seriously considering coming tonight have not been to this site, last I came was when it was at the paintball site. But some other things have come up. Does this site have access to electricity available?

[glend (Glen)]

Bit late now as they are probably up there. I know that at least one of them probably has a generator, but not sure about access to the Pony Club power as the building is locked I think.

[netwolf]

Will try going up next new moon. Setup at home and just packing it now as clouds have rolled in. I am guessing the guys up there had a good night the view here was not bad.

[Irish stargazer (John)]

Wow! What a turn out last night. The PC looked like a car park. Never seen so many people at the PC before. Fantastic!

I departed at midnight, defeated by the heavy dew but I did manage a few snaps despite the constant use of a hairdryer. Very impressed with the Polarie's tracking ability. This was a five minute exposure at effectively 160mm.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2841/1...90b77fe3_h.jpg

Look forward to seeing Arthurs's group photo. Any chance of putting a link to the picky so we can download the photo?